NLM releases new version of MedlinePlus

On September 23, NLM released its latest version of MedlinePlus. We listened to our users through direct comments, a formal usability study, and site statistics and made changes to help the public find the health information they need the most. The front page http://medlineplus.gov, with its new look, provides the user with more direct links to health topics, the heart of MedlinePlus. Health topics, which include diseases, conditions, wellness issues, are now arranged both by letters of the alphabet and by topic categories, such as "Cancers" or "Lungs and breathing."

Every topic now also displays links to related topics and categories for easy navigation around the site. For example, if you don't see what you need on the "Allergy" page, you can directly link to the related topic "Asthma." Other improvements include direct links from the "sidebar" to lists of "Hospitals/health facilities," and "Doctors/dentists" Finally, the new "About MedlinePlus" page includes a message from the Director, the selection guidelines, and how to link your site to MedlinePlus.

Although it includes over 200 health topics, MedlinePlus is still a work in progress, and NLM welcomes your comments. You can submit these through the link at the bottom of every page.